November 2, Friendos.

Because my toe is broken and I cannot skate, and because I believe in democracy and fear deeply some of these assholes out there who surely are planning to vote harder than you or I will ever vote, I make, right now, an offer.

I will personally buy a shot for every one of you I see on November 2, provided you can prove that you went out and voted. You don't even have to prove it, really. Just vote and look into my genius eyes and I will know, I will see deep into you and know the truth. Look into my eyes and utter the following eight-word password: "Marco Roth's insightful and powerful essay, 'Caucasian Nation." Because here's something true:

"If you are bored and disgusted by politics and don't bother to vote, you are in effect voting for the entrenched Establishments of the two major parties, who please rest assured are not dumb, and who are keenly aware that it is in their interests to keep you disgusted and bored and cynical and to give you every possible reason to stay at home doing one-hitters and watching MTV on primary day. By all means stay at home if you want, but don't bullshit yourself that you're not voting. In reality, there is no such thing as not votin: you either vote by voting, or your vote by staying home and tacitly doubling the value of some Diehard's vote."

So sayeth the man himself. Now believe that and let's recall what it's like having bigoted idiots in charge, and let's exercise that vital right we're guaranteed as Amuricans, yes? Yes.

Gone away for some days.

The blog will be very silent this weekend, unless our words guy keeps it bangin. Unfortunately he can't make it. The Dudes will be here this weekend meeting up with the Pretty crew. Camping will happen, as well as plenty of ripping (maybe I should have the words guy write this too, geezzz). Anywho, keep posted because we will be back. Boom.

Linkless Habitat

At Wilson I once gave Austyn Gillette a razor blade from my center counsel. Then I went around announcing to everyone about how Austyn Stephens was at the park, like a dick. But now I’ve seen the new Habitat video. A report: Danny Garcia or Jose Rojo? Austyn Gillette is a latter day Carrol, seems like. Skates with composure and grace and ollies over the Brooklyn banks rail, into the bank beyond the stairs and Habitat is kind enough to show it twice.

Stefan decides to kill it and indeed does, then Gall is Gall and there’s some skating. The Mark Sucio part picks up after about thirty seconds. Bryce Golder skates like the best JP Samedi you never saw. Marius is proper and very fast and then Daryl Angel and Guru wins and then Silas at Wet Willy’s! Then it gets all art and drawing and we hear the Melody for the Felled Tree song again, confirming the tacit industry etiquette re: songs from tour or promo videos. And somewhere in there, Kerry Getz doubleflips.

All in all a great file to obtain.

Oh my did he try.

His last name is Roman. Here is a little teaser of his talents on a skateboard. Please enjoy.

Whip it. from David Thomas on Vimeo.

Friends Who Are Radical #1

I'm starting a new feature here at Dude Life. Friends Who Are Rad will be exactly what you think it will be. Let's begin.

Friend #1: Serengeti

To argue that Serengeti, or Dave Cohn if you happen to be tight with the guy (I'm totally tight with the guy), is rad seems totally redundant. Looking through my iTunes, I count ten albums he's released (some of them free) since 2002. There are probably more. Plus that's not counting all the tracks scattered across compilations, including that giant "Dark Was the Night" thing a couple years back, and here, and now this new Tobacco EP, featuring this rager here. And coming real soon are several projects with Anticon, including a new project full of music by various superstars, including the former Casiotone For the Painfully Alone, who now goes by the extremely radical moniker: Advance Base. So, this:

"Flutes" - By Serengeti from am overtone on Vimeo.

And finally there's "Denehy," easily the best rap anthem Chicago has known. Though the follow-up, "Perculators," is a close second.

Q.E.D.

Confession of the Day

I watched the entire Vans Downtown Showdown live webcast. It's true, start to end. But Kyle, wasn't that contest on Saturday? And wasn't it during nighttime, Chicago time? And isn't Saturday night a time when interesting people go out with friends to enjoy themselves, either to a bar or skate spot or concert or basically anywhere but your own sad and lonely kitchen table? Affirmatives across the board. But what's done is done.

I feel a little better now. Thank you, internet.

4..3..2..1.. Launch it

There is a new little concrete park in Chicago inside Piotrowski Park. They have a very nice concrete bank to box and some plastic stuff. You will also find, hands down, the nicest kids you will ever ever meet at a skatepark. I don't know what's in the milk these kids are drinking but dam it makes them so pleasant. Go see, and bring your old product because they need it.

p.s. Who has a launch ramp? They do.

Monday Monday Monday.

A little Wilson play from David Thomas on Vimeo.

I met some swell fellows at the Wilson park on Monday. Nick, Kyle (but he had to leave early for teaching), Jackson, Anders, Ryan, Zach, and this guy were all there and some ripping went down. I tried to document what I could and this is what you get. I hope you enjoy.
D.t.